Laboring Poor

“In recent times the working people of the capital have become impossible to deal with, because they have read in our books truths too potent for them.” -          Restif de la Bretonne, quoted from the Enlightenment by Hampson

The renaissance of labor unrest in the cities especially Metro Manila in the Philippines evinces the long standing workers’ universal struggle for recognition of their rights to living wage, humane working condition, collective bargaining, and security of tenure. It is universally accepted that a strike is a legitimate weapon of the workers to push for their rights. Or else they will be left at the total mercy from capitalists.

While recognizing the right to strike, the Constitution has laid two conditions for a strike; it must be peaceful and it must be in accordance with the Labor Code has supplemented the conditions, that it must be consistent with the national interest. A peaceful strike is a strike all right but how can a message get across? I know that a heavy man leaves a deep footprint and that of the light man is wiped by a sweeping wind. Like the cases LRT, Meralco, manila hotel workers, through organizing they became big brick but they were facing bigger wall. As a result, they got laid off. A strike in accordance with the law is preposterous in the intent which is rooted in the injustices of the capitalists---violations of the same law which is supposed to protect the workers. The consistency with the national interest is never a question in the event of the strike since labor issues are always of national interest. Therefore any inconsistency with the labor sector’s concerns become inconsistent also with the national interest.

In a country where workers are overwhelming and capital is scarce, coupled with the aggression of globalization in the system, the government is rendered powerless in the might of capital. Government policies seem to sympathize with the capitalists’ problems especially in times of crisis but not the labor problems. It is easily swayed to favor the employers and readily willing to sacrifice the labor side. This was manifested in the pal crisis, LRT, Meralco, and manila hotel labor disputes. And now it is evident even in the proposed emergency or special powers asked by the President where there will be a moratorium in the CBA. The labor sector is found battling against two formidable enemies – the unjust capitalists and the capitalist government that is supposed to protect and promote the rights of the workers because they do not have the means to protect themselves. Generally the labor groups are offered a compromise which is short of selling their souls to the employer or make them bite the bullet. They are forced to accept harsh conditions which are unjust but made legal by the state.

Commonly the capital always inequitably claims the profits and products and leaves the smallest minimum to labor. The minimum wage law that could have appropriated a just share of labor in the production becomes stagnant even in depressed times. The Regional Wage Boards are set up primarily to determine the just and fair wage in each region but it becomes a ploy to divide and conquer the labor sector. The undying P125 nationwide wage increase is a dead-end in the RWBs so the advocacy efforts are geared toward the legislated process. But Congress cannot accommodate this since election is just around the corner. What more can the laboring poor do in the midst of plain injustices happening before their justice-seeking eyes? I dread the portent of Bastille. Even the Son of a laborer who was once denied of justice can find heaven in the earth of the struggle of the working class.

All Is Well That Ends Wealthy

“You must admit that there is happiness man alive because he is superior to all he possesses; but it is an empty life where nothing gives pleasure.”

                                                                        - Voltaire, Candide

            The Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) report on the wealth of President Estrada just confirms the long standing stain on the faces of the public officials now and then – graft and corruption. But not on the presidency please. I have this little glimmer of hope that somewhere in the public office there is still upright and unadulterated space, and I generously reserve that to the presidency. If there is any effort to influence, it must start from the top down to the bottom. I think it would be easier that way than the other way around but I am not denying the latter of its own course and I am not going to judge which way is better because more or less each one has a reason to think that way. With all the forces of doubts steering e closer to the truth, I am tempted to shed a light why people think public officials do conceal and keep the silence of wealth in office or after office.

            It is empirical to note that no public official retires from office forcibly through time or through legal mandate poorer than he was before taking office except a handful of the few that risked the resources of the known rich family for the service for the marginalized. One inspiring example would be former President Sergio Osmeña who sold some of the family’s assets to cover some costs of basic services to the people. However, during and in the post-Marcos era, the public belief was reaffirmed by the frenzied activities of the cronies or kamag-anak or mistahs and now the kumpadres and the first families. It is believed now that more critically-decided ventures of the government are made in the nocturnal sessions with the close “friends” of the president than in the usual cabinet meetings. Recently, one brave soul in the person of Sister Tan divulged the monopoly of the first family in the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) projects that, though seemingly legitimate, were expended mostly in the hands of the first family, Privilege indeed resides in the seat of power and emanates from the people who take the seat.

            Sadly, people nowadays engage in politics due to the mundane endeavors-prestige, power and wealth. Gone are the days when one seeks office due to his calling to serve faithfully. The vocation to public service becomes secondary or even non-existent to the mind and soul of the public officials. The idea of public service is reduced to attending weddings, neurological wake, birthdays and baptisms, year in and out. What happens now to the popular saying, public service is a public thrust? I remember Dolphy starting this when asked if he would run for an office, he said, “madali tumakbo, paano kung manalo?” I truly admire the guy’s response because there is no question of his winning ability but precisely, what is he going to do there? Exactly the same question goes to the people now in office who have barely 9 months to go, what have you done and what are you doing? It is hoped that they should not forget their accountability to the people. The people especially the oppresses are the main reasons why there are where they are. I suppose that they do not contribute to the dehumanizing of the oppressed instead join in the struggle to liberation. But I usually see them on the other side with the unscrupulous impeding the road to access education, health, social services and justice. Then I have come to understand and meet the natural evil of man. The “I” speaks on himself, wanting to own the world, be superior, in the process neglecting the social responsibility to others. The issue of graft and corruption as I am told is the fight between good and evil. I think we know which side belongs to public officials.

            In the World Bank report, 20% or 1/5 of the national budget is lost to corruption every year. That sizeable amount could have built a hundred thousands of classrooms or could have raised the public employees’ wage to a decent and living one or could have fed the many starving evacuees in the Mindanao war. And the lists can go on and on but it will not be taken back like the air we exhale. The report shows that the government is weak in setting up at least regulatory framework resulting to barely provision of basic services to the people, much less in strategic development planning. This, I believe, has prompted the President to wage war against graft and corruption in the SONA.

            Is the President ready to confront familiar faces in this war? Is he prepared to see himself just like in the mirror?

            In the same report, it is said that 22% of the public were victimized and only 8% complained. I think the hardly hit here are the poor people and I believe they are now ready to complain. But who will listen?

Mindanao Bites

“Mizpah!  The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent from one another,”

  - Og Mandino, The Christ’s Commission

            In Mindanao, we have seen the faces of painful exodus of half a million Filipinos, we have heard the agonizing cries of the living and the dead, we have read their writings inscribed on the land of promises asking ‘why us’ from both the fighting and the victims, and we have talked literally about the pictures, words, and sounds of decades of conflict. Have we anyhow felt their trembling emotions of emptiness, having taken everything from them by war except pieces of questions and hope?

             During the Gulf war in 1990s, I followed the events, at that time, with awe and amazement of the new, high-tech artilleries of the American forces. It was how I saw the events just like in the movies, missing entirely the core message of war. One rocket-missile costing for about, I don’t know how much, but could have fed a hundred hungry children once hit the target causing deaths to the enemies, destruction of homes, seeding fear and trauma to the victims. Death which meant loss of father to a son, son to a father, brother to a brother, bred hatred, anger and revenge tarrying its time.

             Wars are essentially of the same kind of evil. They differ just in the fronts and they end just the same – no victors. When the government troops overran Camp Abubakar, I found it unacceptable to claim victory being a peace advocate and knowing that there is something more to come, waiting to exhale. True enough, it did come when a lesser jihad for all Muslims was called. Since then unlike in the movies, I do not see the ending or the plot of the story. As in chess, threats are more telling in sowing fear of losing that their execution.

            Since Bicol is many seas and islands away from Mindanao, I could barely empathize with our brothers and sisters who are directly or indirectly victims of the war. Not until I met a classmate in college whose husband was part of the team that overran Abubakar, until I heard the tale of a mother whose son is still there in the thick of action, and until I read a letter from a new mother who has just delivered a baby boy without a husband beside her. I saw their worries, fears, anxieties, and prayers in the guise of the seemingly cheerful faces, reserved in their eschewed looks in the eye, and in-between lines of the letter. Finally I had Mindanao through them, vivid, real, disturbing, piercing and ripping.

            Whether we admit it or not, the Mindanao question has ranged over us one way or another. Every day we are gaping witnesses to the tragedies, massacres, ambushes, crimes of our recent times that are either explicitly or obliquely expressions and forms of Mindanao question. A theory in psychology would point out that external events are attributed to the way we behave. Troubled, agitated yet defenseless. Jean Anouilh used to say, ‘there is nothing to do but scream.’

            Aray! (Complaint of pain).. Mosquitoes, rainy days are here again. (I feel a sudden lump in my throat when I read the Department of Health (DOH) report indicating that there have already been 24 dengue cases around the country.)

          Shhhhhh.... At once I need not move composure and poise under pressure are invoked to lure mosquitoes to come over to my side. Composure, poise and restraint under pressure to retaliate and get even are needed in conflict resolution and prevention.

             But mosquitoes bite randomly.


           Plak!! I think I’ve crushed the little things so hard. Now I have blood marked on my numb palm and shin. Of course, bites hurt.

           I have yet to learn from these mosquitoes. I want no more blood on my hand. 

"Who Owns Handiong's Land?"

When Israel was in Egypt’s land –

  Let my people go.

Oppressed so hard they could not stand
Let my people go.   - Margaret Walker, Jubilee

            This was the question of the 2000 symposium in Bicolandia’s agrarian history relative with the celebration of the Jubilee Year on a theme, “return the land” for the month of July with Professor Danilo M. Gerona of Ateneo de Naga University as the lecturer-speaker.

            Basically, the symposium laid down the historical background embodying the question back to the past. It was the same question that brought us back to the pre-colonial and colonial period and introduced us to the significant-elite people who virtually owned the whole peninsula during those times. We relived the eventful moments when quintessential ties with the friars would spell influence and riches. Interestingly, those elite landed people belonged to the families of non-Bicolanos in origin, flesh and blood.

            That was before as it is now. These landed influential families cling to the land supposedly to be enjoyed by all humanity with all its bounties and fruits. Only the few who, by the god of their grace, have shared with the blessings of creation while the many who, by the grace of their gods, religiously pray the supplications of their ancestors hoping that there is indeed a heaven. After the silence of centuries, the situation of landholdings in the region relatively abides at the expense of the fortunate few whom, by reason alien to earth but known to man, remain untouched.

            According to the 1995 unofficial data from the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) among the top 10 provinces with large land distribution balances, Albay and Camarines Sur occupied the first two slots with the most of backlog (Gono, 1996). On the 12^th anniversary of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) which would have set reforms in the centuries-old unjust structures this year, the Department claimed to have distributed 55% of the target 1,688,887 hectares since 1988 (Philippine Peasant Institute, 2000). The program envisions the Philippines as a nation of family-sized farms tilled, developed, and most importantly owned by the ordinary citizens who wanted all their lives a piece of land on their own homeland. Twelve years of hoping, of waiting in vain, many farmers cultivate laboriously the lands of others to fill the cups and plates of their masters while opting to be silent with the drizzle of generosity from the masters. Silence and discontent like those of lambs and caterpillars are hovering around the air wanting to be something, to have something to complete their existence.

            Moreover, the program was instituted to humanize the dehumanizing state of the tenant-farmers but the lack of political will on the part of the government, the delay of land distribution to the rightful beneficiaries, the arrogance and undue deference to the landlords have contributed to the dehumanizing process of the landless.

            And the question still persists today. But the die is cast and the river is crossed. The torch is lighted and the flame is burning. We can go nowhere but here. Let us stand and dig together to clear mountains. Let us all be Handiong, a hero who surmounted difficulty and won victory. Anyway, who is afraid to answer the question?

            Who really owns Handiong’s land? The answer lies in our hands. 

Tears Too Late

“If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.” -  (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar)

The recent stampede in a festival in Cambodia that killed at least 370 people caused me to recall the Payatas tragedy in July 2000. I wrote this article during that time.

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            In school we are taught to count balls, sticks and squares. As we grow, we learn to see numbers differently. Politicians translate them as votes, businessmen add them as profits, gamblers divine them as lucky combination, teachers and students present them as grades, and others treat them as they are – mere numbers, nothing more or less.

            And how do we see the 193 (and still counting) bodies found dead in Payatas? If we see it as 7 less to become 200, fine we are correct. However much as we would like to know our different views, we would never question those except our challenge to check those standpoints with our own values and conscience.

            Much have been said and written about the Payatas tragedy. We have had enough of the upbraiding and bickering of the government officials and politicos. We have heard too many of the pleas and cries of the aggrieved families who lost more than their sons, daughters, members of the families but their faces among the faceless wishful thinkers in the land of promises they consider their own. The land that feeds them has become the land that devours them. It is the same and where they built their houses with their dreams of a new life in the city, where they dig their living searching for a bottle of genie or lamp of luck everyday with unfailing vision of a better tomorrow than today. Each strike of the kalahig that pierces through the depth of the land is like stabbing their misfortune in life, hurting, lethargic yet healing, and forever hoping. Each material it hooks goes with the desire of having more, putting it in a basket of filling weight of surviving, carrying it where there maybe more. Paradoxically they subsist on something the city can live without. And they live nonetheless like us.

            We are different from them. Every day we go out with our kalahig, in our search for magis. We all look for the bottle of genie, and we oftentimes are fooled to go to the city in our attempt to find the lamp of luck. We are lured to the illusory lights of the city, brightness hard to ignore, too inviting to explore yet in its glitter, we are blinded by the danger and price of leaving our home and living away from it.

            Payatas is a home to a vagabond or to those who consider every place a home but definitely not a home to our children, our parents, our brothers and sisters, and our family. Still some people choose to live there, making it their home. Indeed, the rain chooses no stone to wet, and wet rolling stone gathers no moss.

            Out of 193, have you given it a thought of how many might be Bicolanos? Just a thought.

NBA Season 2010-2011 is On: Let The Games Begin

The 2010-2011 NBA season is underway. This season is much-hyped and most-awaited one for the best reasons in the world.

Prior to the opening of the season, marquee and superstar players were traded and now playing in different teams. The most controversial was "The Decision" aired by ESPN live and generated so much attention. In that decision, it centered on Lebron James and his new team, Miami Heat.

Eastern conference

James decided to pursue his championship dream with another team together with his pals and superstar players, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosch. The Big Trio is expected to shake up the competition in the eastern conference and challenging the Big Three of the Boston Celtics that won the championship in 2008 and a finalist in 2009-2010 season.

The Celtics acquired the Big Man in Shaq O'Neal to bolster its defense and also offense. The Orlando Magic remains a powerhouse with Dwight Howard and Vince Carter in the line-up. The underperforming Atlanta Hawks retain Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Jamal Crawford, Mike Bibby, and others in the hope that this year will be the breakout year for the hawks.

Western conference

The defending champion, Los Angeles Lakers, is aiming for a three-peat this season by retaining the core of the team in Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Ron Artest, Derek Fisher, and others. The Lakers is still the team to beat this season.

The Phoenix Suns is not the same without Amare Stoudemire. However, it acquired Hedo Turkoglo in the trade. The Dallas Mavericks is hoping that this season will be the payoff of its blockbuster trade last year involving major players such as Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood joining the team, and letting go of Josh Howard and Drew Gooden. The New Orleans Hornets hopes that its super point-guard in Chris Paul will remain healthy this season to return and get deeper into the playoff season. The Denver Nuggets and San Antonio Spurs are strong contenders in the western conference title.

With the 2010-2011 season on, the amazing and exciting games are also on each day. Catch them and be part of the excitement.

Seeing the last of Gerry Penalosa as a boxer (for now)

Before Manny Pacquiao, there was the two-time world champion Gerry Peńalosa who carried the torch of the country's elite position in the boxing world.


Last 10 October 2010, Gerry had his last fight against a game Thai boxer, Yodsaenkeng Kietmangmee, in Zamboanga City. He earned his career 37th knockout out of the 55 wins or 67.3% knockout rate. That is an amazing feat to knockout almost 7 out of 10 opponents. He ended his illustrious 21-year boxing career with two world championship belts in two weight divisions (superflyweight and bantamweight), and a record of 55-8-2 with 37 knockouts.


Gerry provided us with memorable bouts, notably against Kawashima where he won the WBC superflyweight title in 1997, against Daniel Ponce de Leon in 2007, and against Gonzalez for his WBO bantamweight title in 2007. His desire to win another title motivated him to be back to the ring after two years of self-declared hiatus in boxing. Who could forget that one-shot to the body of Johnny Gonzalez that brought the former champion to his knees? 

It was a dream come true for Gerry to win another world championship belt for the Philippines. At that time, Pacquiao had already become a household name in the boxing world by beating the Mexican greats successively. And then, another Filipino boxer, Nonito Donaire, Jr., shocked the boxing world by knocking out the unbeaten Darchinyan to wrest the IBO and IBF flyweight belts. On the same year, Donnie Nietes won the WBO minimum weight champion. The year 2007 was a banner year for Filipino boxers.


Gerry defended his title before a home crowd in the Philippines the next year. 

He moved up to super bantamweight to challenge the reigning and unbeaten champion, Juan Manuel Lopez. Gerry lost and posted his first knockout loss via a 9th round technical knockout.


Early this year, Gerry wanted another try at the bantamweight division for the vacant WBO interim title by engaging Eric Morel in a 12-round slugfest. Although bloodied in the later rounds, Gerry stood his ground. The official decision did not go his way, but many thought he won that fight.


Gerry did not want his boxing career to end in a losing note. So he wanted to showcase his tactical fighting skills for his last fight in the Philippines. And he did, to the delight of his fans.


According to the great boxing coach and trainer Freddie Roach, Gerry is "the best technical boxer that ever came from the Philippines." This is affirmed by many Filipino boxing analysts and experts.


Surely, Gerry will not go away from boxing. He said that boxing is his life. He will be around, but not inside the ring. He wants to train and produce another Filipino world champions, thus cementing the elite position of the Philippines in the boxing world.


Thank you Gerry.

Reproductive Health Bill (RHB) to reduce our population boom?

Are Filipino couples producing more babies today than the previous years? The data would point to a resounding NO.

However, the proponents and supporters of the Reproductive Health Bill (RHB) would argue that Filipino couples are still producing more babies. They would direct our sights to the increasing number of children in slums and on the streets. Of course, our population is growing. One of the arguments and justifications for pushing the bill is that we need to reduce our population boom. Hence, what is relevant in the debate is the population growth rate than the population growth itself. Again, are we producing more babies today compared to the previous years?

Another relevant question would be, does the Philippines need a population control nowadays? (See the impact and pressures of population on environment and development goals here.)


Below are the data from the National Statistical Coordination Board (NCSB) that monitors and estimates  the population growth rate of the country.

Population of the Philippines
Census Years 1799 to 2007

Year	Population	Average annual rate of increase (%)	Source of data
1799	1,502,574	-	Fr. Buzeta
1800	1,561,251	3.91	Fr. Zuniga
1812	1,933,331	1.80	Cedulas
1819	2,106,230	1.23	Cedulas
1829	2,593,287	2.10	Church
1840	3,096,031	1.62	Local officials
1850	3,857,424	2.22	Fr. Buzeta
1858	4,290,381	1.34	Bowring
1870	4,712,006	0.78	Guia de Manila
1877	5,567,685	2.41	Census
1887	5,984,727	0.72	Census
1896	6,261,339	0.50	Prof. Plehn's estimate based on census records.
1903	7,635,426	2.87	Census
1918	10,314,310	2.03	Census
1939	16,000,303	2.11	Census
1948	19,234,182	2.07	Census
1960	27,087,685	2.89	Census
1970	36,684,486	3.08	Census
1975	42,070,660	2.78	Census
1980	48,098,460	2.71	Census
1990	60,703,206	2.35	Census
1995	68,616,536	2.32	Census
2000	76,504,077	2.36	Census
2007	88,574,614	2.04	Census

Note: Population from 1799 to 1896 excludes non-Christians.

a - Includes the household population, homeless population, Filipinos in Philippine Embassies/Consulates and missions abroad and institutional population who are found living in institutional living quarters such as penal institutions, orphanages, hospitals, military camps, etc. at the time of the census taking.

Source: National Statistics Office.

Since peaking in the 1970s, the population growth rate of the Philippines has been on the downward trend. And this year, it is expected to have less than 2% growth rate. In the World Development Indicators of the World Bank, the population growth rate of the Philippines stood at 1.8% in 2008. Notably, this is without the proposed population control espoused by the RHB.

For a more detailed and interesting discussion on this downward trend, click here for an article published in Philippine Daily Inquirer by Dr. Bernardo Villegas.

Average Annual Exponential Growth Rates, Philippines: 2000-2040

Year	Growth Rate
2000-2005	2.05
2005-2010	1.95
2010-2015	1.82
2015-2020	1.64
2020-2025	1.46
2025-2030	1.27
2030-2035	1.09
2035-2040	0.92

 Even the projection of the population growth rate points to the continuing downward trend. Thus, Filipino couples know better than we think. Obviously on the national average, each generation is producing less children than the previous ones. 

Then, why control something that is already on the downward trend? The answer is, as we know, business for profits. With the RHB enacted, some pockets will be filled why millions of Filipinos languish on living with $2 a day. 

Who will really benefit from the RHB? The poor deserves an answer.

(Another argument here)

November 13-bout of Pacquiao: Why Margarito?

Manny Pacquiao is larger than himself. He is the ambassador of the Philippines to the world. He is known beyond anyone could imagine.

When I went to Barcelona, I met a security guard from Dominican Republic.  When he learned that I am a Filipino, he immediately closed his two fists and said, "Manny Pacquiao."  In the Dutch university, I met a Thai exchange researcher. He told me that he and other Thais are proud of what Manny Pacquaio has achieved. As Asians, they too celebrate Pacquiao's exploits and victories inside and outside the ring.

Inside the ring, Pacquaio is the recognized pound-for-pound king in the boxing world today. He won an unprecedented seven titles in seven weight divisions. He is the current World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion  at 147 lbs. He is considered to be the greatest Asian boxer of all-time, and is lined up among the greats of all time in the sports.

Outside the ring, Pacquiao is a national hero in the Philippines. He is also a politician who was elected as a lawmaker in the Philippine Congress. According to him, his heart goes out to those in need. He wants to serve the poor. Coming from similar ranks a decade ago, Pacquiao knows and understands the plight of the poor. He is also a devout Catholic.

With all these accolades and achievements, what is out there to achieve with the Margarito fight? Is it the pursuit of the eight world titles in eight weight divisions? Probably. Is it worth it? Yes.

Then, why Margarito, a boxer that was stripped of his license because of illegal hand wraps?

Pacquaio is the gem of boxing right now. Why mingle him with a faux stone?

I would love Pacquaio to see fight inside the ring; but not this. There is nothing to be achieved here except an additional title. But there is no honor in fighting someone who was found guilty of cheating.

Nonetheless, I wish him well.

Mr. President: Agrarian Reform Now

 Our call to social justice is not afterall inutile. The Philippine Supreme Court ruled with finality that the vast sugar plantations are covered by the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law or R.A. No. 6657. Our sugar farmers will be able to till their own lands soon - a victory of concerted advocacy to distribute lands from the hacienderos to the landless farmers.

Landlessness is a major cause of worsening poverty in rural Philippines.  The poorest Filipinos are the landless farmers who earn their living from hired-labor or tenancy on farms owned by landlords. No matter how hard they work all day, they are not able to earn what their families need to live decently.

To reduce rural poverty in the country, agrarian reform promises to be a potent force. A piece of land to the farmers who toil all day is a dream fulfilled and deserved. They will finally be able to reap the fruit of their labor. Working hard will eventually pay off. Imagine the joy, empowerment and splendored dream that go with that piece of land to farmers, their children, and their communities.

Land distribution to actual farmers is a key to poverty alleviation in rural areas. Economic data may show otherwise, but here is my take on it. Without land, farmers urge their children to join them as hired-laborers in the fields for additional income of the family. With land, farmers send their children to schools and ask their help in the weekends. This scenario cannot be captured by economic data and yet a valuable data nonetheless.

Land ownership brings the farmers into the market system which drives our economy. Imagine hundreds of thousands additional players in the market system. Landlords will remain players in the market system due to their retained estate holdings and other mainstream economic activities.

Two decades of agrarian reform have partially demonstrated the promises of land reform. It was two decades of trying stages of learning and taking further the lessons in the implementation of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR).

The Senate approved the CARP extension for another five years with P 147 billion to cover 1.6 million hectares for distribution to landless farmer-beneficiaries. The House of Representatives also passed CARP extension. Extending a government program means that there is an unfinished and incomplete task.
What remains to be distributed are the contentious private large estates. This is where the compulsory land distribution and acquisition component of CARP will be tested again. The creative and controversial “corporative ownership” scheme is allowed in the extended CARP approved by the Senate.

Many argue that this “corporative ownership” scheme is a better set up to keep up the production of land. However, this does not effectively transfer land ownership to the farmer-beneficiaries. In the end, farmers are left wondering whether they truly own the land they till or not.

For the farmers, it is logical to pass and implement CARP right away. Land conversions of agricultural lands to industrial and other uses take away the golden opportunity from farmers of owning a land where they can start building their dreams of a good life.

Agrarian reform now is a call for social justice due to poor farmers in the rural areas. Mr. President, please.

“Live simply that others may simply live” (Remembering Ka Bel)

“Honorable Beltran, could you come down from there?”

He does come down willingly, joyfully.

And now he is with us forever.

Ka Bel wants to do it on his own. He wants to see it done. He wants it fixed. What is it, Ka Bel? A hole on the roof. A corruption scandal. An inhuman working condition. An insufficient wage. An arrogance and lavishness of the elite. A disempowered working class.

I heard him speak. We heard him speak. His words express what we dare not to speak about. His words reverberate in the grumblings of hunger, sleeplessness of tired bodies, restlessness of bonded souls, passing of hours, days, nights of gripping injustices experienced by working class.

I saw him walk in the protest lines. I saw him lead. I saw him wave from inside of the hospital.

“I am OK. I am with you.”

I felt his energy, his boiling determination that melts any stubborn hearts and minds. His passion for change, for love of his own class and country, dwarf the scale and magnitude of the forces of status quo. Are we going to let it be?

His life is simple, very simple. In the human standards, he is the poorest among the honorable men and women of congress. In the other Congress somewhere where men and women are truly honorable, his wealth is immeasurable, for there is nothing to measure except one’s faith and deeds.

Ka Bel has faith in the Filipino people. He believes in our capability to fight against injustices. And he believes that we will triumph. Our triumph is his triumph too.

Are we going to fail him?

Governing the government

My frustration on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico makes me remember this article.

Everytime the oil prices hike due to deregulation, the government’s excuse is that the price is set by the market. With that, it can do nothing about it. So why then we have a government that does nothing on matters that directly affect us all? I am reminded by an old article of mine written seven years ago.
———

“Whenever the powers of government are placed in anyhands other than those of the community – whether those of man, of a few, or of several – those principles of human nature which imply that government is at all necessary imply that those persons will make use of them to defeat the very end for which government exits.” (James Mill, An Essay on Government)

If a government says it can do nothing on matters of national effect and concern except invoking a law that is clearly anti-people, what can it do for itself to save from extinction?

Everytime Shell, Caltex and Petron otherwise collectively known as the Big 3 raise their prices of oil almost simultaneously, the straight-faced reason is that they are losing money separately yet similarly. And the government watches on the sideline with its eager helplessness and (mis)understood the incomprehensible price incrases in the midst of a crisis without a sly attempt to liosten to the cry of the people – where we are taught the sovereignty of the government resides.

Are the oil companies really losing money? According to Rep. Ernesto Herrera of Bohol, they are NOT. On the records filed by these oil firms with the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), they by and large profited to a jolting Php 18.6 billion with Shell having P7.45 billion; Petron, P6.54 billion; and Caltex P4.64 billion. However, they claim that these profits actually reflected very modest returns compared to 1996 when the oil industry was not yet deregulated.

Oddly, the Deparment of Energy that is monitoring the oil industry has nothing interesting to say to the people except defending the activites of the Big 3. It is understandably welcome for the oil firms to have a spokesperson from the government itself, being a sentinel of the welfare of the people supposedly. It looks like the government is willing to pay for the sins of the Big 3 disposing  its truest nature and service to the “people” – the people it knows all along, former colleagues, friends, relatives, affluent, and the masses (in no particular order, I suppose).

As Rousseau in the Social Contract would state emphatically, “nothing is more dangerous than the influence of private interest in public affairs, and the abuse of the laws by the government is a less evil than the corruption of the legislation..” Save the Herrera’s expose on the “modest profits” of the Big 3, the Congress is in a way nurturing the stifling situation by sitting on a bill that will eventually amend the Oil Deregulation Law and foster competition which the law intends. In the bill, the creation of the National Oil Exchange which will bid the national oil needs from the lowest bidder among the international oil traders will tremble the oil cartel of the Big 3 on its bending knees, cutting its clout in the government. They will be forced to low down their prices to win the bidding and be able to continue supplying the oil needs of the country. On the recent oil price hike, the Speaker of the House nonetheless has threatened inexpediently the Big 3 of the repeal of the Oil Deregulation Law if they continue acting like a cartel. Where has the speaker been all this long as he is the only soul left unconvinced of the cartel? He needs a little dose of history of the oil price fluctuations of the Big 3 that require no further inquiry to resolve the existence of a cartel.

In the globalizing world, the national govenment is being run over by the mighty capital of the transnational companies such as the Big 3. It is left unconditionally powerless and insignificant in the moneyed world without borders. Couples with the government’s thrust toward industrialization and globalization, these transnational companies suggestively assume the token seat of power – the government. And they are gaining ground to hold on to the seat as long as the actual owner wills it.

Do we?

The great Rousseau reminds us that people that would always govern well need not be governed. Essentially, democracy promotes people’s active participation in the decisionmaking of the state. The government – let it rule for the end of common good.

In the first proposition of Kant in the Fundamental Principles of the Metaphysics of Morals, he writes “that an action, to have moral worth, must be done from duty.” Now the people ask, how about inaction?

Generation X, Y, Z: Finding generation identity in a diary

Generation X, Y, and Z, world wars, Great Depression, Elvis Presly, Beatles, Vietnam or (American) War, Punk, Michael Jackson, dotcoms, IPhone, 9/11, Anne Frank, these are examples of events, personalities and products that somehow are able to define a generation. How can one grasp the generation's identity?

Can identity of a generation be captured by a diary? Can it constitute as knowledge? Amar Singh's diary on India during the British colonization presents a subjective knowledge of a colonial on the political domination and racial superiority of Englishmen. Amar wrote regularly on his diary from 1898 to 1942, around 44 years of keeping notes of his experiences and observations. The rich articulation of the entries on the diary is argued to define the identity formation of the Indians at that time under the English empire.

The debate on social sciences about subjective and objective knowledge is situated in the "self-as-other" ethnography. There has been primacy of objective knowledge as scientific borne out of a rigorous method applied by the social scientists. However, the subjective knowledge that anthropologists gather from their key informants and their participant-observation is getting acceptance as another form of knowledge that is as valuable to social sciences as objective knowledge. The epistemological claim of the subjective knowledge is that some well-placed individuals are carriers of the truth and reality of a generation that is of interest to social sciences.

In social sciences, there is a continued blurring of self and other, participant and observer, subjective and objective. The reflexive self can be the other as the reflexive participant can be the observer. So the subjective knowledge is as valid as the objective knowledge in social sciences.

Thus, Amar Sing's diary counts as subjective knowledge that portrays the identity formation of colonial Indians. This portrayal is "liminal" which means that the identity formed is not a combination of English and Indian at one time. It is either Indian or English in one time, neither the two mixing together. The shift from one culture to the other is made possible by acceptance of this "liminality."

This subjective knowledge presented by Amar Singh's diary on identity formation of colonial Indians has contributed to the enrichment of understanding of what constitutes knowledge in the social sciences. A diary can capture the identity of a generation as Amar Singh did in his diary.

World Cup, Football: A unifying force

The world shares its passion for one sports, football. And Indonesia is one with the world, in football, the most popular sports in the world. Although without a national team competing in the World Cup 2010 in South Africa, Indonesians are closely following the updates and games with passion. It is the sports, not a team, that creates a certain sense of belongingness and ownership.

For example, during the 2008 Euro Cup finals between Spain and Germany, Indonesia was awake and glued to TV. The time was 12 midnight in Jakarta until the early morning of Monday last week. Men and women, boys and girls, young and old, football has captured the imagination of Indonesians.

Binaya (co-intern in Asean) and I favored Germany to win the prestigious Cup. I had my own reason; I don’t know about his. I simply liked Germany. I thought I had enough of Spain (well, it colonized the Philippines for four centuries).

Earlier that day, the Philippines watched the Las Vegas, USA show of Manny Pacquiao overwhelming David Diaz for the WBC lightweight title for his fourth titles in different weight divisions. It was late in the morning, approaching noontime in the Philippines. Manny Pacquaio has captured the fantasy of Filipinos.

Manny Pacquiao in the US for the Philippines; football in Europe for Indonesia. Two countries in one region, two sports, two colonial continents.

A person embodying national craze in the sports, or even bigger than any sports in the Philippines, for the Philippines; a sports embodying national passion for Indonesia.

In my Monday morning “ojek” (motorcycle) ride to busway, “Yakob” asked me, “Did you watch TV yesterday?”

I said, “tidak (no).”

“Oh, Spain won,” Yakob declared gleefully.

I thought he was referring to the Pacquiao – Diaz bout. I thought he was a die-hard fan of Pacquaio.

And so I thought. But he is an Indonesian, after all. Football reigns supreme in the country among all sports. That makes Indonesia one with Europe and the world.

Sons of the Motherland (In Memory of the Young Martyrs)

The following has been written 10 years ago. When I was skimming my old notes, I found this. I thought this would serve better if I shared it unadulterated with the readers. This was printed in a local newspaper in Bicol in 2000.

“Youth is to all the glad season of life; but often only by what it hopes, not by what it attains, or what it escapes.” – (Thomas Carlyle)

Two driving forces why things change are the curiosity and discontent of the young as opposed to the prevalent resistance to change of the aged.

Youth can be a state of the mind. People remain young if they hold on to their ideals, an ingredient that can make nations great; if the youth keeps their enthusiasm to power their nations forward; if they display vigor which springs hope for a better tomorrow.

Youth speaks.

Today I live in a society where oppressive systems are deeply rooted and wholly accepted. My forefathers who fought hard to regain freedom from foreign intrusion forgot to follow it up with its price – vigilance. Our society has somehow evolved to its present state, still I hardly can call my own. Most, if not all, features are borrowed, save the person, but the lifestyles, educational system, music, literature can be taced back to the colonizers of our land.

Our youth is blazing the trail of globalization losing his/her own identity, engulfing him/herself in a strange body and being, betraying his/her true roots, and selling his/her bare soul. None of a character of own. I dread to witness the day coming when no youth can identify with Bonifacio, Del Pilar, Silang, Sakay, the Katipuneros; I dread the day.

Faced with the impending fall of our own beloved nation in the hands of the glutton and inept system, I am up to the challenge of engaging myself to the struggle of the oppressed. I can always contribute to the revolutionary change our society needs. I am going to break the conventionals and formalities that have been impeding our creative and imaginative minds, pulling us down to the abyss of ignorance, conformity and poverty. I will crush the influence of imperialism, even the slightest shade of it to take the consciousness of our fellow youth to the new heights and level where it can lead to self-determination. I will go and grow with them liberated from the bondage of the past and present chains to see and reflect and examine our being. These I all do in the name of common good, justice and equality.

Though I know one little candle light in the land is nothing but a dim light, I will not stop burning up to my last wax because I am convinced that there are other lights out there that too are burning with flame. I will pierce the darkness with my straight light and let others see the goodness and brightness of the light. Someday I am going to meet them and we all will give light and warm to others and then, build a society founded in equality, justice and common good, based on a culture that is ours, understood by all in a language native to our tongue. Then it will be a society truly of our own.

This is the society I dream. Can’t we have the same dream?

King of tennis: Federer or Nadal?

Roger Federer's exit in the French Open does not diminish his tennis career achievements. However, French Open has solidified Rafael Nadal's exploits on the clay-court. Nadal won the French Open for the fifth time and regained the number one ranking in men's tennis from Federer.

This leads us to be excited about the Wimbledon Open. It is undoubtedly Frederer's playground because he has won there for six times. Thus, making him the top-seed in the coming tournament.

I would say that Federer is the king of tennis, for now. Why?

For winning his fourth Australian Open and 16th Grand Slam title, the Swiss tennis superstar, Roger Federer, established himself as peerless among tennis greats and players. The 28-year old Federer etched his place in tennis history as one of the greatest players, if not the greatest, to ever play the sports. He beat Andy Murray to secure the title in three straight sets of his 22nd career Grand Slam final appearance.

What is more amazing is that he has a lot of tennis years ahead of him. He can achieve more and totally separate himself from the mortals of the sports. And the year has just begun.

The previous record of 14 Grand Slam titles of the American Pete Sampras was seemed to be beyond the reach of any tennis players when he retired in 2003. Federer made the record humanly possible and breakable in one tennis career.

Just like in any sports, greatness does not come without fierce competition from a worthy rival who brings out the best in great players. Boxing legend Muhammad Ali would not be "the greatest" if not for his memorable fights with another boxing great Joe Frazier. In basketball, Magic Johnson had Larry Bird whereas in tennis, Pete Sampras had Andre Agassi.

In Federer's time, Spaniard Rafael Nadal has emerged as his toughest challenge in the run for Grand Slam titles. In fact, it was last year in the Australian Open that Federer was denied by Nadal to match the Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slam titles. In turn in the succeeding Grand Slam event, he denied Nadal of his 4th consecutive French Open title. That was fitting for Federer to match the Sampras' record and winning his first clay-court French Open, plus he won all the Grand Slam events in various surfaces. Then, he defended the Wimbledon crown in grass court to surpass the record at 15 titles.

What is there for Federer to achieve further in his tennis career? I think there is more for him to stay in competitive tennis to elevate the intensity and level of playing of the sports. He is now the role model for aspiring tennis players. He exudes composure under intense competition and challenge, humility amidst his achievements, and provides the sports an iconic face and name.

Federer is king of tennis. Doubtless, he will remain as such for a long time. Let us see more of him and enjoy his showcase of talents, skills and character in and off the court. That is truly very kingly. But like any other king, he has a rival. Rafa Nadal is a very worth competitor and rival for the crown. What an exciting era for tennis!

It's the economy, not you, is recovering

There are positive indications that economic recovery is well underway. The good signs have descended unto the housing market and unemployment data. But investors are still wary of the temporariness of the rebound. The
economy is not out of the woods yet.

The housing crisis that started the whole mess in the global economy has posted relieving figures after two years of dismal and disheartening data. Home sales are up and foreclosures are on the decline. Construction of new housing projects is starting ti prop up to show that confidence in the housing market is holding.

For the first time in 15 months, the unemployment rate dipped and fewer people lost their jobs than the previous month. It defied the prediction that unemployment rate will reach double digits this year. If the new trend continues to hold, then unemployment will hover around 9%. This will be a safe figure to start the year of 2010 when full recovery is said to happen.

The stock market has reacted positively in the new development. Some giant companies such as AIG posted profits in the quarter to boast the confidence of investors in the market. Although there is still an air of wariness and caution, the sense of doom and despair is out of the horizon. Optimism and bright prospects dominate the landscapes of economy.

Now, analysts and economists are looking at the consumers' behavior. They know that the consumers will have to do their part in helping the economy recover. Consumer spending is still conservative as more people opt to put their money on the banks for safekeeping in the future. The fear of sudden loss of jobs and insecurity is imminent in the faces of consumers. But there is a confidence that consumers will respond to the needs of the economy. They will ultimately spend their money because that's what they have gotten used with.

The cash for clunkers program help avert the collapse of car industries. now the car sales are on the rise. Plus, environmentally friendly cars will dot every road. It is a very good bargain, one gets cash by trading
his/her old car. In that wat, the market is stimulated because many poeple wanted to avail of the cash for replacing their old cars by hybrid cars. In this way, two heads are being hit - one is pump priming the economy and promoting environmentally friendly cars to the public.

We can look forward to a promising future because soon, the good times will be back. I am seeing it now as I buy things that I need and save more and more for a secured future.

Pacquiao-Mayweather fight still raging on

It is officially off and on, for now. Nobody knows. Notably, boxing has risen to new heights because of the fight.

The much-anticipated boxing match between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., two of the top pound-for-pound fighters, has been shelved because of disagreements in the scheduled blood testing. The fight is groomed to be the biggest in boxing with both fighters going to earn, at least, a guaranteed $25 million. The date had been set, the venue had been reserved, but the negotiation leading to the fight did not go as expected.

The camp of Mayweather strongly proposed the random and stringent blood tests for both fighters to scan a possible intake of performance-enhancing drugs or substance. It accused Pacquaio of not being "clean." It insinuated that the way Pacquaio climbed from flyweight to welterweight and won seven legitimate titles in different weight categories was a product of some external factor which was enhancing performance drug. But it never put forward any evidence to prove this.

The Pacquaio's camp agreed to have the blood testing, but not in random fashion. Pacquiao was amendable to three blood testing schedules; one would be months before the fight date, another one would be 14 days prior to the fight, and the last one would be right after the fight. According to experts and analysts on drug testing and performance-enhancing substances, there was no way to escape the findings of blood testing if it would be done right after the fight. But Mayweather insisted on the random and stringent blood tests which could be made even on the day of the fight.

For Pacquiao, blood letting on days close to the fight is a bad omen. Much worse is on the day of the fight. It was reported that Pacquiao would feel weak, just like when he fought Erik Morales the first time in the epic-trilogy in which Pacquaio lost by decision.

There will be March 13 boxing fight in Dallas, Texas. The exciting Manny Pacquaio will be top-billing the fight. But he will fight not Mayweather. He will face welterweight contender Clottey.

On the other hand, Mayweather is reportedly facing Sugar Shane Mosley in another date and venue.

Both fights are blockbusters to boxing fans. They are very promising to be a hell of a fight. But they are only a prelude to what millions of boxing fans really want to see, a Pacquaio versus Mayweather fight.

It may not happen in the near future, but I believe it has to happen in this era. It is unpardonable if boxing lets go of this great opportunity to have great fighters not testing each other's skills and chin to decide
who the pound-for-pound king truly is. The winner will definitely be on the list of the top three best boxers of all-time.

What is Enlightenment?

The title is the same question answered by Immanuel Kant's Was ist Aufklarung

in 1784. It was basically a reflection of a great thinker on his own present. At that time, present was conceived in three forms; 1) as an "era of the world distinct from the others through some inherent characteristics, " 2) a sign of a forthcoming event, 3) "a point of transition toward the dawning of a new world." And Kant departed from this conception. He saw the present as an "exit" or "way out" from the state of " immaturity" described as letting the others direct or lead in an area where one is unable to make use of his/her reason when it is called for. For example in Kant's article, when a book does the understanding for a person, that person is in a state of "immaturity." Lazinesss and cowardice are the reasons cited by Kant for this "immaturity." So he proposed a motto or instruction for Enlightenment- Aude sapere , "dare to know," or "have courage to use your own reason." For Kant, he characterized Enlightenment as both a task and obligation, individually and collectively. He also distinguished the private use of reasonand public use of reason. On one hand, when one is a "cog in a machine" or plays a role in society, he make a private use of reason in determined circumstances and ends in view. When one, on the other hand, uses reasoning as a reasonable being and for reasoning's sake, it is a public use of reason that must be free.

Foucault (1984) summarized what Kant's description of enlightenment as; " the moment when humanity is going to put its own reason to use, without subjecting itself to any authority; now it is precisely at this moment that the critique is necessary, since its role is that of defining the conditions under which the use of reason is legitimate in order to determine what can be known, what must be done, and what may be hoped..... Enlightenment is the age of the critique." This, for Foucault, characterizes the " attitude of modernity." Although modernity has been referred to as an epoch in history, sandwiched between premodernity and postmodernity, Foucault would like to picture it as an attitude rather than an epoch of history. By attitude, he meant "a mode of relating to contemporary reality; a voluntary choice made by certain people; in the end, a way of thinking and feeling; a way too of acting and behaving that at one and the same time marks a relation of belonging and presents itself as a task. A bit, no doubt, like what the Greeks called an "ethos."

Going back to Kant's description of Enlightenment as an "exit" or "way out," it is like we are inside a theater or cinema surrounded by darkness, distracted and absorbed by the reality flashed on screen different from what we know of it; but a little red sign flickers that invites us to a way out in case of fire. This fire represents the changes and ruptures of routines. Truly, it feels good to be staying forever inside a cinema. It entertains us and makes us forget our problems for a time being. Or we are just afraid to confront our own shadows that cause us prefer to hide in the darkness? Kant reminded us that the enlightened is not afraid of shadows. Being afraid of the shadows seems natural, but in reality it can be critically interrogated. To do this, it takes a philosophical attitude which Foucault propounded, a critique of who we are, an analysis of our limits imposed on us and an experiment or project of transcendental possibilities.

Protestant Ethic and Spirit of Capitalism: A review of Weber's classic

Max Weber started by citing circumstances that manifested Western civilization as the source of various developments with significant value and recognition as valid today. Some of these developments were the codification of books, rational jurisprudence, harmonious music, perspective in art, rise of a modern state with written constitution, laws and administration, among other things that had to do with astronomy, architecture, view of history, literature, etc. Included in these developments was the "most fateful force in our modern life, capitalism." He asserted that capitalism is not in any way identical with unlimited greed for gain; rather it is identical with continuous renewal of profit through continuous capitalistic enterprise. The economic action through capitalistic undertakings of continuous operations of an enterprise was differentiated from the speculative acquisition of profit from wars, piracy, exploitation of subjects, election, etc. The former was being the legal and systematic pursuit of profit. There were other things that brought about this Western capitalism such as the organization of free labor, the separation of business from the household, rational bookkeeping, the notion of personal property, rational structures of law and administration by trained officials or bureaucracy, and the utilization of scientific knowledge in modern science particularly mathematics.

Then the question as to why in the West did this exacting capitalism emerge remains unsettled to a large extent. For example, the opening of a public library, the offering of scholarships, the introduction of new
business courses in a local university, the passage of a resolution increasing the subsidy for education would not greatly explain satisfactorily the growing number of entrepreneurs in a certain town. There must be the fundamental shift in the disposition of the town folks toward business engagements to be able to explain the phenomenon and this new conduct. And Weber recognized that the magical and religious forces and the ethical ideas of duty had been the most essential influences on conduct of men/women, on the "development of economic spirit or ethos of economic system." With this, the spirit of capitalism was associated with the "rational ethics of ascetic Protestantism especially Calvinism."

Certain religious ideas such as proficiency in a calling as work, expression of virtues of honesty, frugality, punctuality, and industry, avoidance of life's pleasures, and gaining wealth as a sign of an election of the saved were informing this ethic of capitalistic culture. Weber identified traditionalism in both the laborers and entrepreneur as anti-spirit of capitalism. Traditional laborers were those of pre-capitalistic labor that was interested in earning the usual rate no matter how attractive the opportunity to earn more. The employer's wish of efficiency and high productivity by means of increased labor rate went to naught in the arms of traditional laborers. As compared with capitalistic labor, workers were responsible and released from counting the rates and income with maximum comfort and minimum effort. In this case, labor is performed as a calling. However, the traditional entrepreneurs, on one hand, were concerned with the satisfaction of needs, that is acquisition of goods necessary to meet the needs. Capitalistic entrepreneurs on the other hand acquired goods and profit untied by the limits set by needs. They sought to gain profit rationally and systematically. Traditionalism persisted for a while but the process of rationalization of areas of life destroyed it. Some features of modern economic life were the extended the productivity of labor, labor for a rational organization providing service and goods for humanity, calculated future, and direction with foresight.

While Weber's capitalism was seen as a response to Marx's analysis of capitalism and both were interested in discovering the historical causal relationship that had resulted to the current state of modern society, he however refused to consider that the materialistic view could explain every aspect of social phenomenon. In Weber's view, ideas especially religious ideas were critical aspects of action. Protestant ethic as an idea system was linked with another system of ideas, the spirit of capitalism. But he failed to link the rational action with this idea system.

Unlike Marx andDurkheim who are both optimistic in the transition to modernity, Weber rejects the Enlightenment's view of evolutionary progress and happiness. Instead, he projects a highly rational and bureaucratically organized social order, an 'iron cage' in which people are trapped. Sadly, we are supposed to be liberated by reason, Weber saw the opposite.

NBA Playoff Classic: Eight-seeded team beat the top seed

It was a historic upset in the 2007 NBA playoff season. The western conference was dominated by the Dallas Mavericks winning a franchise-record of 67 games out of the possible 82 games. As a result, the Mavericks was seeded no. 1 in the western conference. Its opponent was the lowly Golden State Warriors which won only 42 games in the regular season. Fresh from its NBA finals stint in the previous year, the experienced Mavericks was the overwhelming favorite to advance to the second round. But the Warriors had its own game plan and they delivered in six games to mark the great playoff heartbreak in the NBA.

Game 1 was played in the Mavericks' homecourt. All the advantages built by the homecourt and winning 67 games were shattered by the determined Warriors to begin the history in the making in the NBA playoff. The Warriors surprisingly won, 97-85. Living up to the expectations and high seeding in the playoff, the Mavericks bounced back in Game 2 with 112-99 victory to tie the series, 1-1. Then the series moved to the Warriors' den. Playing before a supportive and believing home crowd, the Warriors trounced the Mavericks in both Games 3 and 4 to take a commanding lead of the series, 3-1. Very few teams were able to come back after being 3-1 down in a best-of-seven series. Faced by a prospect of embarrassing exit in a once promising season, the Mavericks was able to salvage Game 5 in their homecourt to make it 3-2. Game 6 was played in the Warriors' turf. The Warriors and crowd believed that they were into a historic upset. Indeed, the Warriors demolished any hope of the Mavericks to come back in the series by beating them soundly in Game 6 before a boisterous crowd with 111-86 victory. The remarkable upset was cast and complete. The hungrier Warriors won the series, 4-2, to advance to the second round. The Mavericks were left behind wondering what hit them in the series.

If there was any consolation for the Mavericks, it would be the awarding of the NBA's Most Valuable Player (MVP) to Dirk Nowitzki. But bowing out of the playoff very early was a disappointment to the fans and the successful run in the regular season.

Indeed, only for the third time in NBA history, an 8th-seeded team beat a top-seeded team. And they beat the top seed convincingly.

Robert "Bobby" Fischer (1943 - 2008): A chess genius like no other

The man is remembered for living his life on his own way and world. He is a man to himself and to the world. Bobby Fischer passes away with chess titles and championships memorable to all who see and remember him.

Learning what happened in Iceland in January 18, 2008, I ought to write something about Fisher and his impact in my life. As a chess enthusiast, it is clear why I like the man very much. He is simply a genius in the
game of chess. In countless times, I have played his brilliant games with myself. Chess players like to beat themselves, you know. But I usually win against myself in chess. What I have learned from him extends beyond the 64-square board and blurs my view of the world as black and white.

He teaches me to love and respect books. As a young boy, Fisher would devour chess books day and night. He would seclude himself and devote almost the whole day reading and mastering chess books and all the classics in chess. For him, there is no substitute for learning chess but read. There is no substiture for learning life but live. Indeed, he lives fully well.

He guides me to have clarity among options. His games are brilliant examples of clear plan and strategies. I learn that chess is about finding the best move. It offers thousands of possible moves but there can only be one best move at a time. The challenge is to find it continuously in the shortest time possible. It assures oneself a sure winner, both in chess and in life if this is done according to rules. Certainly, Fisher would speak his mind on anything passionately. Clearly, he is a man of his own choosing, a man of his own mind.

He shows me eccentricity with conviction. There are many chess moves that are hard to fathom their logic. They may appear as harmless or dubious but the underlying intent is powerful. Later in his life, Fisher would renounce his US citizenship and often criticize his own country. As in chess, surprises are dangerous and fatal. He dies in a foreign country where his game is understood and accepted well. His life is the greatest game I have seen.

He is remembered for his games and life. He resigns from life but he reigns in the minds of those who see his way and world.

Writers strike back (Writers Guild of America)

Since November 5, 2007, the Writers Guild of America (WGA) has walked out of work to protest the unfair cut in the profits and potential share in the sales of their works sold in the internet and other media forms. Many
popular TV shows have been suspended and some major films have been delayed since writers went to strike to demand a better deal in the share of profits. Unfortunately, the strike also has affected the behind-the-scenes crew, decorators, and other personnel involved in the production.

The writers' strike has provided a marxist insight of the power relations between the writers and producers of the TV shows and movies. Who holds the key to production? Who really produces the shows and movies?

The common understanding is that the writers are hired by the producers to make a script. It is clear in this context who is the employer and worker. However, the recent strike has reconfigured the relations between producers and writers and the concept of capital in the hands and minds of the workers. It may seem that the producers hold the power to produce shows and movies because they have the traditional capital which is money and machines. With the walk out of writers from work, the producers lose the power to produce even though they still have the capital. What is then more important and essential in the production of TV shows and movies? Are the hands and minds of writers more essential in this kind of production?

Production is conventionally in the hands of the moneyed and capitalistic individuals, companies and corporations. Workers are hired and paid to produce what the capitalists want. If the workers do not conform with the desires and plans of the capitalists, they go on strike to show their opposition and assert their roles, worth and consequence of their works in the production. The effectiveness of a strike lies in the unity and common sentiments and understanding of the striking workers on their struggle to change the unfair status quo, make a deal favorable to them, and cause the realization of the capitalists of the workers' essential presence in the production.

Thus far, the end and resolution of the writers' strike are nowhere near in sight. There are few writers who were able to make a deal with their producers and now they are back to work. For the many writers still in the
picket line, the struggle continues. At least, they have reconfigured the power relations and the concept of capital in this context. And they have proved that the power of production is also in their hands and minds.