Some views on the Philippine Election 2016

If I claim to be incorruptible and if someone says that I have huge amount of money in a specific bank, I will stand by my claim. I will not simply dismiss the accusation and say that the account is non-existent, but I will show that it is indeed non-existent. I will not approximate its amount, because it is my money, so I know how much it is and where it comes from. I will not call a lawyer because I know my rights. It will not take me few days just to show how incorruptible I am. It will take only few minutes to clear my name on this issue. If I am unable to do this, believe me, I am not what I claim to be. I am not who I say I am.


As a Bicolano, I take offense at this generalizing remark from a man who barely has an idea who we are as a people (not a race). Yes, we are honorable. That's why we are known to pursue vigorously what we believe in against all odds and popular sentiments. We stand by our words, and not take them back whimsically. Now, Mayor you will see what honorable truly means with or against a Bicolano. Yan an oragon! (Actually, you sought the legal help of another Bicolano to face against a fellow Bicolano on Monday, May 2 because probably you seem to be not honorable enough to man up your words when you yourself is a lawyer.) 


Just asking. How do you envision his presidency? Based on his words: He will kill those involved in drugs and crimes in a bloody war. That means a lot of violence. He will return to manual system of governmental transactions. That means backlogs, inefficiencies and susceptibility to corruption. He will abolish Congress if threatened impeachment. That means he will concentrate executive and legislative powers into his hands. He will establish a revolutionary government. That means he has more powers and less accountability, if any. He will sever ties to countries that say something against him. That means Philippines is likely to be isolated in international arena. Indeed, this is change. Do you envision it differently? 



Mayor, I understand if you want to make it difficult for Sen. Trillanes. But the issue is not only between you and Sen. Trillanes. You aspire to be my president. I want my president to be transparent, decisive and inspiring. I still believe you are. So please, do not disappoint me on Monday, May 2. I want to know and I deserve to know what you had, and currently have in your BPI bank accounts. Please. I believe that history is on our side. But I don't want to be on the wrong side. On May 2, Monday, I want to see you speak the truth, not your lawyer, because my president is transparent, decisive and inspiring. Thank you, Mayor. Do not let me down! I am waiting for my president to come out clean on this issue!


What kind of change are we expecting from a man who uses old tactics to keep his unexplained wealth away from the public that he vows to serve? Still more days to reflect on a candidate who vows to stop corruption, but refuses to be transparent. How can we who hate corruption help him stop corruption if he himself is not leading a clean and good example. Let us remember that one of the things that makes us love him is when he declares: "hindi ko pakikialaman ang pera nyo." We cheered! Few more days... few more day... let us see whether he is the man we used to know, whether he is the man we want to lead our country.


A specific amount in a particular bank branch with certain dates!!! It must be a joke! And I laughed when I read Sen. Cayetano's statement which is very similar to the statements of the spokesperson and lawyers of Binay during the Senate's investigation of Binay's alleged ill-gotten wealth. 


"It is possible for a Filipino to be separated from the Philippines, but not the Philippines from a Filipino." As an OFW, I hear you Poe!


Finally, after two emails and a phone call to the embassy, I can now exercise suffrage (right to vote). I am still undecided; that's why I truly need this 3rd Presidential Debate to help me discern who deserves my sacred vote. So far, I am down to two candidates who, in the past debates, showed their grasp of what's going on by citing statistics and data on sectoral issues. To me, if a candidate does not know what's going on, s/he can't make a sound decision for the national interest. If s/he does not know what's going on, her/his decisions may be to satisfy one's ego or driven by impulsive whims or capricious humor. So far, it's between Poe and Roxas for my sacred vote. After this debate, I will break down my decision why I will vote for either Poe or Roxas.

All Saints' Day (not halloween) in the Philippines

November 1 is a feast day. That's what we know. And that's how we celebrate the day. Contrary to popular celebration of the day, the Philippines celebrate the day with cultural and religious meaning. It is All Saints' Day, also known as todos los santos. Other ethno-linguistic groups call it differently. Tagalogs call it Undas and Bicolanos call it Fiestang kalag. However, there are common characteristics in the celebration, such as the day is an opportunity for family gatherings, class reunions, and of course, praying for, remembering and being with the loved ones who passed away (literally being with the dead family members). Yes, Filipinos spend the day in cemeteries. In Bicol, cemetery is called, kampo santo (camp of the saints).

So, how do we spend the day in a cemetery?

In a typical Filipino way of gathering people, food must be present. Yes, there is a variety of food being prepared, served and shared. Candles are lit and flowers are laid. All day, from dawn to dusk, from sunrise to sunset, family members, relatives and friends flock to and stay in the kampo santo. Stories and memories with the dead are reminisced over and over again.

I remember when I was young, I stayed in kampo santo in the afternoon until 7PM. As I grew older, I tended to stay late, until the wee hours. My elder brothers often stay until early morning the next day. In the Philippines, November 1 and 2 (two days) are public non-working days or holidays.

To know more how we spend the day, below is a video made by Kevin Richberg, a foreigner who experienced November 1 in the Philippines.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWFGRdbIrhQ

EDSA Dos Story 4: From Isarog to EDSA Shrine

          Leaning on the left side window of Naga-bound bus as it made its ascent on the Ortigas fly-over, I saw Edsa Shrine. It was a Monday evening of January 22nd of 2001.

            Five days ago, people swarmed this momentous place. Sparked by the infamous decision of the impeachment court, the throng swelled to multitudes of Filipinos disowning a President, the 11 senators, and those who believed in the impeachment process. The Shrine was the most metaphorical place for that collective anguish and dismay, being the birthplace and living witness to the peaceful People Power revolution not so long ago. As if Mother Mary, both hands open sideways, were calling Her flock to assembly and take Her refuge in times of grief to the death of the national search for truth and justice. Like a true Mother whose patience and understanding preceded any rationale of the situation finally said, “enough is enough, come to Me and We will do it again.”

            “Viva La Virgen! Viva!” Our Ina, the Lady of Peñafrancia, was with us all the way and all the time from Bicol to Edsa. With Ina, history would be good, history would be kind to us.

            A roaring cloud of enlightened heads massed at the intersection of Ortigas and Edsa blackening the whole area, waiting to burst like a storm sending signs of its impending strength and power. The clamor was clear, the portent was an ominous end of the sitting duck, the cry was resounding, and the direction certainly was Malacañang.

            Edsa was just the meeting point, the Gethsemane where people prayed to gather internal and external forces to sustain the fated culmination. The Shrine was the rock, all absorbing the people’ sentiments, disappointments, and the bid to the will of the Lord. And those who went to Edsa Shrine, physically or spiritually, were called to act to save the nation.

            The new President was being sworn in by the Chief Justice. Our new President is a daughter of a former President. Somewhere across the Pacific, another President was being sworn in. he was the son of a former President. All at the same day.

            Fourteen years ago, I was just 11 years old. We had no TV then but the people and radio kept us abreast of what was happening then at Edsa. They wanted to oust Marcos from office while all I wanted was to oust the can out from the circle. I was playing a kid's game- tumba-lata in Bikol or tumbang preso in Tagalog. When finally I hit it with my slipper, it tumbled down many times too far from the circle and my playmates who waited for me expectedly all went frenzy over that incident. They could finally run back to the base. (Hawaii, I suppose, is far enough) I could say, I made that happen. The joy of causing others to be free was felt at my young age.

            Two days ago (Jan. 20), I was part of the Bicol caravan that left Naga City at around 6 A.M. to join our fellow Filipinos at Edsa. We ventured into an eight-hour trip to be part of national struggle against corruption, nepotism, and cronyism. It was exactly the same time and day our Bicolano Senator Raul S. Roco had set for the march to Mendiola. If 14 years ago I was denied to hit that great point in our history to target, this time I would make sure that I would be there, or so I thought.

            Sad enough, I was almost there at Edsa when the furor was still hovering, when the thumb-down sign would still matter, when my scream would reverberate with the thousand voices of one call, probably also at the Jerichoan march to Mendiola when the people decided to besiege the standing block to the road to reformation and renewal, but I together with the contingent from Bicol arrived when Erap had already resigned and Gloria had already been sworn in for the Precidency. Nonetheless we caught up the thanksgiving mass being celebrated by Cardinal Sin.

            We were not late. No time was prescribed for us to be there. Who would have thought that Erap would give up so soon? He must have heard about our coming. He could have been scared, frantic, panicky and drunk. Understandably, who would not? Not unless Jose Velarde surfaced at Edsa.

            Many battles were won not necessarily due to the actual number of victors but to the cognizance of the fallen leader that legions of resolved people were coming to get him. That was our consolation to our journey from Isarog to Edsa Shrine.

            Seemingly unmindful of the historic event two days ago, the rush of shoppers and buses along Edsa affront the Galleria indicated that things were back to normal. I tilted back to my seat, my seatmate asked me in Bikol language – saen ka sa Bicol? (Where do I stay in Bicol). As my senses suddenly dawned on me, I became aware for the first time that I was going to Bicol, Camarines Sur, Milaor – home, as the bus made its descent on the Ortigas fly-over.

Edsa Dos Story 2: Why Ateneo?: Role of a University in the National Political Scene

“…it articulates truth and error, right and wrong, justice and injustice, and the imperatives of conscience sensitive to the dignity of human beings, especially the poor.” – CORPLAN 2010 of Ateneo de Naga University

            What was Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) doing when it spearheaded the October 20 and November 17 rallies calling for the resignation and supporting the impeachment of the president? Not exactly the same question but of the same breath goes to those who feared to come out and take position on the critical issue plaguing our country today – what were you doing, and intending to do?

            We are having a political, economical, social crisis now. Any indecision on the part of those who are expected and moved to act on the matter would take a toll on the people particularly the poor. Our failing country cannot afford to have irresolute public officials, who up to this day still weigh not the interest of the country but the future political ambition and the ties to Malacañang. Astute politicians, nonetheless, know where to position themselves in pursuit of their higher political career. And it is causing the people a lot. (For the time being, please think of your country first before yourselves).

            In fact, most of these officials renew or strengthen their association with the president by declaring here and there they unwavering support to the beleaguered lord of them. Foremost in their mind of course is their reelection or election to a greater office. I just hope they have really thought deeper or at least consulted their constituents on the issue at hand otherwise they are committing political suicide. It is noteworthy that these manifestations of support flock like firemen responding to an incident of fire without knowing where the fire is. Forced more by instinctual rather than discerning move, these politicians have run to the side of the president without confirming the unfolding events before their eyes and undoing something that is familiar to the people - political survival is above anything else.

            Before Ateneo's active participation, several dialogues and information campaigns with the different sectors of the University were held. In 2000, the October 20 and November 17 rallies, believed to be the biggest political rallies in Naga City, demonstrated the core of the CORPLAN 2010 of ADNU, its spirit in the formation of men and women, its commitment to social change and justice, and its lived faith for the greater glory of God.

            Though there are those who question the legitimacy of the university to spearhead such rallies – why Ateneo, I cannot help but ask back, why not Ateneo?

"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.